Australia defeated South Africa in the ongoing first-test match at the Gabba in 2 days to go 1 up in the test series. The South African batters had no answers to the questions put up by the Aussie bowlers as they succumbed to one of their heaviest defeats in test cricket. It is the 22nd occasion when a test match has produced a result within 2 days. Including today’s result, Australia has inflicted this wound on their opponents 9 times.
Australia won a crucial toss on a green deck and asked South Africa to bat first. The Proteas inning went nowhere with wickets falling at regular intervals. Eventually, Kyle Verreynne’s gritty 64 pushed South Africa to 152 in the first inning.
Australia started poorly in its response to 152. Warner was sent back in the very first delivery of the Aussie inning. Travis Head’s counterattacking 92 along with some valuable contributions from Smith, Carey and Green helped Australia end on 218.
In response, the Aussie bowlers made a complete mockery of the Proteas batting lineup. Only 3 batters managed to go to double figures. Cummins’ 5-for ensured the opposition was bundled out for a meager 99 leaving 34 for Australia to win and go 1 up in the test series.
Rabada sent some scores to the Australian dressing room with a fiery spell where he dismissed 4 batters. However, 34 was too little too less even for the likes of Rabada and Nortje to defend.
This heavy defeat means India has now moved to 2nd place in the ICC WTC points table 2021-23. Australia has now consolidated its place and is the favorite to play the final of the WTC 2021-23.
